Japan-Nov 2014

Japan OAT Trip, Nov 2014. Nara. Shichi-Go-San ("Seven-Five-Three") is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for 3 and 7 year-old girls and 3 and 5 year-old boys. I believe it was officially on 15 Nov 2014 but they may be out celebrating today also. Today is (I believe) Labour Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha No Hi), a day to respect and praise labor and give thanks to each other.
Kasuga Taisha is Nara's most celebrated shrine. It was established at the same time as the capital and is dedicated to the deity responsible for the protection of the city. Kasuga Taisha was also the tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara, Japan's most powerful family clan during most of the Nara and Heian Periods. Like the Ise Shrines, Kasuga Taisha had been periodically rebuilt every 20 years for many centuries. In the case of Kasuga Taisha, however, the custom was discontinued at the end of the Edo Period.